U.S. patent application number 11/539257 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-10 for integration of data between devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to Cingular Wireless II, LLC. Invention is credited to Robert Z. Evora, Coulter C. Henry, Jeffrey C. Mikan.
Application Number | 20080086550 11/539257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39185281 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080086550 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Evora; Robert Z. ; et
al. |
April 10, 2008 |
INTEGRATION OF DATA BETWEEN DEVICES
Abstract
Methods, systems and computer-readable media are provided that
enable multimedia content to be switched from a first to a second
device. In one such method, multimedia content is streamed to a
first device and a request to transfer the multimedia content from
the first device to a second device is detected. A determination is
made as to whether the multimedia content is to be (i) streamed to
the second device or (ii) streamed to the second device by way of
the first device. The multimedia content is then streamed to the
second device in accordance with the determination.
Inventors: |
Evora; Robert Z.;
(Douglasville, GA) ; Henry; Coulter C.; (Marietta,
GA) ; Mikan; Jeffrey C.; (Cumming, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOODCOCK WASHBURN LLP
CIRA CENTRE 12th Floor, 2929 ARCH STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19104-2891
US
|
Assignee: |
Cingular Wireless II, LLC
Atlanta
GA
|
Family ID: |
39185281 |
Appl. No.: |
11/539257 |
Filed: |
October 6, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/223 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 65/4084 20130101;
H04L 29/06027 20130101; H04L 65/1083 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/223 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/173 20060101
G06F015/173 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: streaming multimedia content to a first
device; detecting a request to transfer the multimedia content from
the first device to a second device; determining whether the
multimedia content is to be (i) streamed to the second device or
(ii) streamed to the second device by way of the first device; and
streaming the multimedia content to the second device in accordance
with the determination.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting a
characteristic of the multimedia content in accordance with a
characteristic of the second device.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the characteristic of the
multimedia content is any one of: resolution, data rate and audio
format.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the characteristic of the second
device is any one of: display size, display resolution and audio
capability.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the request is detected from the
first or second device.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the multimedia content is any one
of: IP-based television, broadcast television, music, pictures and
video images.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the request is generated in
response to any one of: a proximity determination, a location
determination and user input.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the user input comprises any one
of: placement of the first device into a cradle and using the first
or second device to generate the request.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the multimedia content is
streamed to the first device by way of a wireless network, and
streamed to the second device by way of a wired network.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the wireless network is a
cellular or satellite network, and the wired network is any one of:
a cable network, a DSL network and a POTS-based network.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein streaming the multimedia content
to the second device by way of the first device comprises streaming
the multimedia content to the first device and transmitting, using
the first device, the multimedia content to the second device.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein said transmitting is by way of
a wired or wireless connection.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein streaming the multimedia content
to the second device comprises: discontinuing streaming of the
multimedia content to the first device; and restarting streaming of
the multimedia content to the second device.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said discontinuing occurs at a
first location within the streamed multimedia content and wherein
said restarting of the multimedia content occurs substantially at
the first location within the streamed media content.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein said discontinuing occurs at a
first location within the streamed multimedia content and wherein
said restarting of the multimedia content occurs at a second
location within the streamed media content.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the first device is any one of:
a cellular telephone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a
television and a computer.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the second device is any one of:
a cellular telephone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a
television and a computer.
18. A system for transferring multimedia content from a first
device to a second device, said system comprising at least one
subsystem that: streams multimedia content to a first device;
detects a request to transfer the multimedia content from the first
device to a second device; determines whether the multimedia
content is to be (i) streamed to the second device or (ii) streamed
to the second device by way of the first device; and streams the
multimedia content to the second device in accordance with the
determination.
19. The system of claim 18, further comprising at least one
subsystem that adjusts a characteristic of the multimedia content
in accordance with a characteristic of the second device.
20. The system of claim 18, wherein the request is detected from
the first or second device.
21. The system of claim 18, wherein the multimedia content is any
one of: IP-based television, broadcast television, music, pictures
and video images.
22. The system of claim 18, wherein the multimedia content is
streamed to the first device by way of a wireless network, and
streamed to the second device by way of a wired network.
23. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one subsystem that
streams the multimedia content to the second device further:
discontinues streaming of the multimedia content to the first
device; and restarts streaming of the multimedia content to the
second device.
24. The system of claim 18, wherein the first device is any one of:
a cellular telephone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a
television and a computer.
25. The system of claim 18, wherein the second device is any one
of: a cellular telephone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a
television and a computer.
26. A computer-readable medium having computer-readable
instructions, said computer-readable instructions comprising
instructions for: streaming multimedia content to a first device;
detecting a request to transfer the multimedia content from the
first device to a second device; determining whether the multimedia
content is to be (i) streamed to the second device or (ii) streamed
to the second device by way of the first device; and streaming the
multimedia content to the second device in accordance with the
determination.
27. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, said
computer-readable instructions comprising further instructions for
adjusting a characteristic of the multimedia content in accordance
with a characteristic of the second device.
28. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein streaming the
multimedia content to the second device comprises: discontinuing
streaming of the multimedia content to the first device; and
restarting streaming of the multimedia content to the second
device.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Multimedia content, such as music, television, films and the
like, conventionally have been delivered to consumers in a
relatively fixed manner. For example, a consumer can receive a
television program in the consumer's home by way of a wired
connection. If, after beginning to watch the program, the consumer
wishes to watch the program in a different location, the consumer's
choices are limited to locations in which a television has already
been placed and connected. Alternatively, the consumer can
disconnect the television and move it to another location. If the
consumer's television is receiving the program by way of a wired
(e.g., cable) connection, the consumer must ensure that the
television is within reach of a cable outlet.
[0002] A conventional method for enabling portability of multimedia
content is to provide different channels for receiving the data
stream representing the content. For example, the consumer may be
able to access Internet Protocol (IP) based multimedia content by
way of a personal computer. If the content is a television program,
the consumer may access the content through his or her television
by way of a cable or other connection. In addition, a consumer may
now use various cellular technologies that provide increased
bandwidth such that the transmission of multimedia content (e.g.,
multimedia messages, as well as music and video content) to mobile
subscribers is now possible.
[0003] Unfortunately, a significant shortcoming exists because the
communication method used for one device conventionally cannot be
used by the other devices in a substantially real-time manner.
Thus, separate--and therefore redundant--communication methods must
be made available for each device. For example, a consumer may have
to provide, and pay for, a separate communication channel for his
or her television, personal computer (unless enabled with a TV
decoder, which the consumer would have to purchase at additional
expense) and cellular telephone. In such a scenario, the only way
to switch between devices during the delivery of program content is
to select the same program from each communication channel. Unless
the program was being transmitted live, the consumer typically
cannot resume the program where he or she stopped with the previous
device because each communication channel does not use the same
data stream to deliver the content. Instead, the consumer would
have to select the program on the new device (which may involve
paying for the program a second time) and then manually advance the
program to the point at which the consumer stopped using the
previous device.
[0004] In addition to the inconvenience a consumer experiences when
trying to switch between devices while receiving multimedia
content, the consumer is also forced to have a separate
communication channel for every device. Such an arrangement is
redundant, and can be expensive. Thus, it can be seen that a need
exists for an automated mechanism to transfer and adjust a data
stream that is being sent to a first device when switching to a
second device.
SUMMARY
[0005] In view of the above shortcomings and drawbacks, methods,
systems and computer-readable media are provided that enable
multimedia content to be switched from a first to a second device.
In one such method, multimedia content is streamed to a first
device and a request to transfer the multimedia content from the
first device to a second device is detected. A determination is
made as to whether the multimedia content is to be (i) streamed to
the second device or (ii) streamed to the second device by way of
the first device. The multimedia content is then streamed to the
second device in accordance with the determination.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The foregoing Summary, as well as the following detailed
description, is better understood when read in conjunction with the
appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating various
embodiments, there is shown in the drawings example embodiments;
however, such embodiments are not limited to the specific methods
and instrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings:
[0007] FIG. 1A illustrates an overview of a network environment in
which aspects of an embodiment may be implemented;
[0008] FIG. 1B illustrates a GPRS network architecture in which
aspects of an embodiment may be implemented; and
[0009] FIG. 1C illustrates an alternate block diagram of an example
GSM/GPRS/IP multimedia network architecture in which aspects of an
embodiment may be implemented;
[0010] FIGS. 2-4 illustrate simplified network architectures in
which aspects of an embodiment may be implemented; and
[0011] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of
transferring multimedia content between devices according to an
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The subject matter of the various embodiments is described
with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the
description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this
patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed
subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include
different steps or elements similar to the ones described in this
document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies.
Moreover, although the term "step" may be used herein to connote
different aspects of methods employed, the term should not be
interpreted as implying any particular order among or between
various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of
individual steps is explicitly described.
Example Network and Operating Environments
[0013] The below-described architecture for transferring multimedia
content between devices may be applied to any type of network,
however, the following description sets forth some example
telephony radio networks and non-limiting operating environments.
The below-described operating environments should be considered
non-exhaustive, however, and thus the below-described network
architecture merely shows an example network architecture in which
aspects of various embodiments may be incorporated. One can
appreciate, however, that aspects of an embodiment may be
incorporated into now existing or future alternative architectures
for communication networks.
[0014] The global system for mobile communication ("GSM") is one of
the most widely-used wireless access systems in today's fast
growing communication systems. GSM provides circuit-switched data
services to subscribers, such as mobile telephone or computer
users, for example. General Packet Radio Service ("GPRS"), which is
an extension to GSM technology, introduces packet switching to GSM
networks. GPRS uses a packet-based wireless communication
technology to transfer high and low speed data and signaling in an
efficient manner. GPRS optimizes the use of network and radio
resources, thus enabling the cost effective and efficient use of
GSM network resources for packet mode applications. For purposes of
explanation, various embodiments are described herein in connection
with GSM. The references to GSM are not exclusive, however, as it
should be appreciated that embodiments may be implemented in
connection with any type of wireless access system such as, for
example, CDMA or the like.
[0015] As may be appreciated, the example GSM/GPRS environment and
services described herein can also be extended to 3G services, such
as Universal Mobile Telephone System ("UMTS"), Frequency Division
Duplexing ("FDD") and Time Division Duplexing ("TDD"), High Speed
Packet Data Access ("HSPDA"), cdma2000 1x Evolution Data Optimized
("EVDO"), Code Division Multiple Access-2000 ("cdma2000 3x"), Time
Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access ("TD-SCDMA"),
Wideband Code Division Multiple Access ("WCDMA"), Enhanced Data GSM
Environment ("EDGE"), International Mobile Telecommunications-2000
("IMT-2000"), Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications
("DECT"), etc., as well as to other network services that shall
become available in time. In this regard, the techniques of the
various embodiments discussed below may be applied independently of
the method of data transport, and does not depend on any particular
network architecture, or underlying protocols.
[0016] FIG. 1A depicts an overall block diagram of an example
packet-based mobile cellular network environment, such as a GPRS
network, in which aspects of an embodiment may be practiced. In
such an environment, there may be any number of subsystems that
implement the functionality of the environment such as, for
example, a plurality of Base Station Subsystems ("BSS") 200 (only
one is shown in FIG. 1A), each of which comprises a Base Station
Controller ("BSC") 202 serving a plurality of Base Transceiver
Stations ("BTS") such as, for example, BTSs 204, 206 and 208. BTSs
204, 206, 208, etc., are the access points where users of
packet-based mobile devices become connected to the wireless
network. In one embodiment, the packet traffic originating from
user devices is transported over the air interface to BTS 208, and
from BTS 208 to BSC 202. Base station subsystems, such as BSS 200,
may be a part of internal frame relay network 210 that may include
Service GPRS Support Nodes ("SGSN") such as SGSN 212 and 214. Each
SGSN 212, 214, etc. is in turn connected to internal packet network
220 through which SGSN 212, 214, etc. can route data packets to and
from a plurality of gateway GPRS support nodes (GGSN) 222, 224,
226, etc. As illustrated, SGSN 214 and GGSNs 222, 224 and 226 are
part of internal packet network 220. Gateway GPRS serving nodes
222, 224 and 226 may provide an interface to external Internet
Protocol ("IP") networks such as Public Land Mobile Network
("PLMN") 250, corporate intranets 240, Fixed-End System ("FES"),
the public Internet 230 or the like. As illustrated, subscriber
corporate network 240 may be connected to GGSN 224 via firewall
232; and PLMN 250 may be connected to GGSN 224 via boarder gateway
router 234. Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service ("RADIUS")
server 242 may be used for caller authentication when a user of a
mobile cellular device calls corporate network 240, for
example.
[0017] Generally, there can be four different cell sizes in a GSM
network--macro, micro, pico and umbrella cells. The coverage area
of each cell is different in different environments. Macro cells
may be regarded as cells where the base station antenna is
installed in a mast or a building above average roof top level.
Micro cells are cells whose antenna height is under average roof
top level; they are typically used in urban areas. Pico cells are
small cells having a diameter is a few dozen meters; they are
mainly used indoors. On the other hand, umbrella cells are used to
cover shadowed regions of smaller cells and fill in gaps in
coverage between those cells.
[0018] FIG. 1B illustrates the architecture of a typical GPRS
network as segmented into four groups: users 250, radio access
network 260, core network 270 and interconnect network 280. Users
250 comprise a plurality of end users (though only mobile
subscriber 255 is shown in FIG. 1B). Radio access network 260
comprises a plurality of base station subsystems such as BSSs 262,
which include BTSs 264 and BSCs 266. Core network 270 comprises a
host of various network elements. As illustrated here, core network
270 may comprise Mobile Switching Center ("MSC") 271, Service
Control Point ("SCP") 272, gateway MSC 273, SGSN 276, Home Location
Register ("HLR") 274, Authentication Center ("AuC") 275, Domain
Name Server ("DNS") 277 and GGSN 278. Interconnect network 280 also
comprises a host of various networks and other network elements. As
illustrated in FIG. 1B, interconnect network 280 comprises Public
Switched Telephone Network ("PSTN") 282, Fixed-End System ("FES")
or Internet 284, firewall 288 and Corporate Network 289.
[0019] A mobile switching center may be connected to a large number
of base station controllers. At MSC 271, for example, depending on
the type of traffic, the traffic may be separated such that voice
may be sent to Public Switched Telephone Network ("PSTN") 282
through Gateway MSC ("GMSC") 273, and/or data may be sent to SGSN
276, which then sends the data traffic to GGSN 278 for further
forwarding.
[0020] When MSC 271 receives call traffic, for example, from BSC
266, it may send a query to a database hosted by SCP 272. The SCP
272 processes the request and issues a response to MSC 271 so that
it may continue call processing as appropriate.
[0021] HLR 274 is a centralized database for users to register to
the GPRS network. HLR 274 stores static information about the
subscribers such as the International Mobile Subscriber Identity
("IMSI"), subscribed services, and a key for authenticating the
subscriber. HLR 274 also stores dynamic subscriber information such
as the current location of the mobile subscriber. Associated with
HLR 274 may be AuC 275. AuC 275 is a database that contains the
algorithms for authenticating subscribers and includes the
associated keys for encryption to safeguard the user input for
authentication.
[0022] In the following, depending on context, the term "mobile
subscriber" may refer to either the end user or to the actual
portable device used by an end user of the mobile cellular service.
When a mobile subscriber turns on his or her mobile device, the
mobile device goes through an attach process by which the mobile
device attaches to an SGSN of the GPRS network. Referring now to
FIG. 1B, when mobile subscriber 255 initiates the attach process by
turning on the network capabilities of the mobile device, an attach
request is sent by mobile subscriber 255 to SGSN 276. The SGSN 276
queries another SGSN, to which mobile subscriber 255 was attached
before, for the identity of mobile subscriber 255. Upon receiving
the identity of mobile subscriber 255 from the other SGSN, SGSN 276
requests more information from mobile subscriber 255. This
information is used to authenticate mobile subscriber 255 to SGSN
276 by HLR 274. Once verified, SGSN 276 sends a location update to
HLR 274 indicating the change of location to a new SGSN, in this
case SGSN 276. HLR 274 notifies the old SGSN, to which mobile
subscriber 255 was attached, to cancel the location process for
mobile subscriber 255. HLR 274 then notifies SGSN 276 that the
location update has been performed. At this time, SGSN 276 sends an
Attach Accept message to mobile subscriber 255, which in turn sends
an Attach Complete message to SGSN 276.
[0023] After attaching itself with the network, mobile subscriber
255 then goes through the authentication process. In the
authentication process, SGSN 276 sends the authentication
information to HLR 274, which sends information back to SGSN 276
based on the user profile that was part of the user's initial
setup. SGSN 276 then sends a request for authentication and
ciphering to mobile subscriber 255. Mobile subscriber 255 uses an
algorithm to send the user identification (ID) and password to SGSN
276. SGSN 276 uses the same algorithm and compares the result. If a
match occurs, SGSN 276 authenticates mobile subscriber 255.
[0024] Next, mobile subscriber 255 establishes a user session with
the destination network, corporate network 289, by going through a
Packet Data Protocol ("PDP") activation process. Briefly, in the
process, mobile subscriber 255 requests access to the Access Point
Name ("APN"), for example, UPS.com (e.g., which can be corporate
network 279) and SGSN 276 receives the activation request from
mobile subscriber 255. SGSN 276 then initiates a Domain Name
Service ("DNS") query to learn which GGSN node has access to the
UPS.com APN. The DNS query is sent to the DNS server within the
core network 270, such as DNS 277, which is provisioned to map to
one or more GGSN nodes in the core network 270. Based on the APN,
the mapped GGSN 278 can access the requested corporate network 279.
The SGSN 276 then sends to GGSN 278 a Create Packet Data Protocol
("PDP") Context Request message that contains necessary
information. The GGSN 278 sends a Create PDP Context Response
message to SGSN 276, which then sends an Activate PDP Context
Accept message to mobile subscriber 255.
[0025] Once activated, data packets of the call made by mobile
subscriber 255 can then go through radio access network 260, core
network 270, and interconnect network 280, in particular fixed-end
system or Internet 284 and firewall 288, to reach corporate network
289.
[0026] Thus, network elements that may implicate the functionality
of the service delivery based on real-time performance
requirement(s) in accordance with an embodiment may include but are
not limited to Gateway GPRS Support Node tables, Fixed End System
router tables, firewall systems, VPN tunnels and any number of
other network elements as required by the particular digital
network.
[0027] FIG. 1C shows another example block diagram view of a
GSM/GPRS/IP multimedia network architecture 100 in which the
apparatus and methods for transferring multimedia content between
receiving devices of the below-discussed embodiments may be
incorporated. As illustrated, architecture 100 of FIG. 1C includes
GSM core network 101, GPRS network 130 and IP multimedia network
138. GSM core network 101 includes Mobile Station (MS) 102, at
least one Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 104 and Base Station
Controller (BSC) 106. MS 102 is physical equipment or Mobile
Equipment (ME), such as a mobile phone or a laptop computer that is
used by mobile subscribers, with a Subscriber identity Module
(SIM). The SIM includes an International Mobile Subscriber Identity
(IMSI), which is a unique identifier of a subscriber. BTS 104 is
physical equipment, such as a radio tower, that enables a radio
interface to communicate with the MS. Each BTS may serve more than
one MS. BSC 106 manages radio resources, including the BTS. The BSC
may be connected to several BTSs. The BSC and BTS components, in
combination, are generally referred to as a base station (BSS) or
radio access network (RAN) 103.
[0028] GSM core network 101 also includes Mobile Switching Center
(MSC) 108, Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) 110, Home
Location Register (HLR) 112, Visitor Location Register (VLR) 114,
Authentication Center (AuC) 118 and Equipment Identity Register
(EIR) 116. MSC 108 performs a switching function for the network.
The MSC also performs other functions, such as registration,
authentication, location updating, handovers and call routing. GMSC
110 provides a gateway between the GSM network and other networks,
such as an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) or Public
Switched Telephone Networks (PSTNs) 120. In other words, GMSC 110
provides interworking functionality with external networks.
[0029] HLR 112 is a database that contains administrative
information regarding each subscriber registered in a corresponding
GSM network. HLR 112 also contains the current location of each MS.
VLR 114 is a database that contains selected administrative
information from HLR 112. The VLR contains information necessary
for call control and provision of subscribed services for each MS
currently located in a geographical area controlled by the VLR. HLR
112 and VLR 114, together with MSC 108, provide the call routing
and roaming capabilities of GSM. AuC 116 provides the parameters
needed for authentication and encryption functions. Such parameters
allow verification of a subscriber's identity. EIR 118 stores
security-sensitive information about the mobile equipment.
[0030] Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 109 allows one-to-one
Short Message Service (SMS) messages to be sent to/from MS 102.
Push Proxy Gateway (PPG) 111 is used to "push" (i.e., send without
a synchronous request) content to MS 102. PPG 111 acts as a proxy
between wired and wireless networks to facilitate pushing of data
to MS 102. Short Message Peer to Peer (SMPP) protocol router 113 is
provided to convert SMS-based SMPP messages to cell broadcast
messages. SMPP is a protocol for exchanging SMS messages between
SMS peer entities such as short message service centers. It is
often used to allow third parties, e.g., content suppliers such as
news organizations, to submit bulk messages.
[0031] To gain access to GSM services, such as speech, data, and
short message service (SMS), the MS first registers with the
network to indicate its current location by performing a location
update and IMSI attach procedure. MS 102 sends a location update
including its current location information to the MSCNVLR, via BTS
104 and BSC 106. The location information is then sent to the MS's
HLR. The HLR is updated with the location information received from
the MSCNVLR. The location update also is performed when the MS
moves to a new location area. Typically, the location update is
periodically performed to update the database as location updating
events occur.
[0032] GPRS network 130 is logically implemented on the GSM core
network architecture by introducing two packet-switching network
nodes, a serving GPRS support node (SGSN) 132, a cell broadcast and
a Gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) 134. SGSN 132 is at the same
hierarchical level as MSC 108 in the GSM network. The SGSN controls
the connection between the GPRS network and MS 102. The SGSN also
keeps track of individual MS's locations and security functions and
access controls.
[0033] Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) 133 communicates cell broadcast
messages that are typically delivered to multiple users in a
specified area. Cell Broadcast is one-to-many geographically
focused service. It enables messages to be communicated to multiple
mobile phone customers who are located within a given part of its
network coverage area at the time the message is broadcast.
[0034] GGSN 134 provides a gateway between the GPRS network and a
public packet network (PDN) or other IP networks 136. That is, the
GGSN provides interworking functionality with external networks,
and sets up a logical link to the MS through the SGSN. When
packet-switched data leaves the GPRS network, it is transferred to
external TCP-IP network 136, such as an X.25 network or the
Internet. In order to access GPRS services, the MS first attaches
itself to the GPRS network by performing an attach procedure. The
MS then activates a packet data protocol (PDP) context, thus
activating a packet communication session between the MS, the SGSN,
and the GGSN.
[0035] In a GSM/GPRS network, GPRS services and GSM services can be
used in parallel. The MS can operate in one three classes: class A,
class B, and class C. A class A MS can attach to the network for
both GPRS services and GSM services simultaneously. A class A MS
also supports simultaneous operation of GPRS services and GSM
services. For example, class A mobiles can receive GSM
voice/data/SMS calls and GPRS data calls at the same time.
[0036] A class B MS can attach to the network for both GPRS
services and GSM services simultaneously. However, a class B MS
does not support simultaneous operation of the GPRS services and
GSM services. That is, a class B MS can only use one of the two
services at a given time.
[0037] A class C MS can attach for only one of the GPRS services
and GSM services at a time. Simultaneous attachment and operation
of GPRS services and GSM services is not possible with a class C
MS.
[0038] GPRS network 130 can be designed to operate in three network
operation modes (NOM1, NOM2 and NOM3). A network operation mode of
a GPRS network is indicated by a parameter in system information
messages transmitted within a cell. The system information messages
dictates a MS where to listen for paging messages and how signal
towards the network. The network operation mode represents the
capabilities of the GPRS network. In a NOM1 network, a MS can
receive pages from a circuit switched domain (voice call) when
engaged in a data call. The MS can suspend the data call or take
both simultaneously, depending on the ability of the MS. In a NOM2
network, a MS may not received pages from a circuit switched domain
when engaged in a data call, since the MS is receiving data and is
not listening to a paging channel In a NOM3 network, a MS can
monitor pages for a circuit switched network while received data
and vise versa.
[0039] IP multimedia network 138 was introduced with 3GPP Release
5, and includes IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) 140 to provide rich
multimedia services to end users. A representative set of the
network entities within IMS 140 are a call/session control function
(CSCF), media gateway control function (MGCF) 146, media gateway
(MGW) 148, and a master subscriber database, referred to as a home
subscriber server (HSS) 150. HSS 150 may be common to GSM network
101, GPRS network 130 as well as IP multimedia network 138.
[0040] IP multimedia system 140 is built around the call/session
control function, of which there are three types: interrogating
CSCF (I-CSCF) 143, proxy CSCF (P-CSCF) 142 and serving CSCF
(S-CSCF) 144. P-CSCF 142 is the MS's first point of contact with
IMS 140. P-CSCF 142 forwards session initiation protocol (SIP)
messages received from the MS to an SIP server in a home network
(and vice versa) of the MS. P-CSCF 142 may also modify an outgoing
request according to a set of rules defined by the network operator
(for example, address analysis and potential modification).
[0041] I-CSCF 143 forms an entrance to a home network and hides the
inner topology of the home network from other networks and provides
flexibility for selecting an S-CSCF. I-CSCF 143 may contact
subscriber location function (SLF) 145 to determine which HSS 150
to use for the particular subscriber, if multiple HSSs 150 are
present. S-CSCF 144 performs the session control services for MS
102. This includes routing originating sessions to external
networks and routing terminating sessions to visited networks.
S-CSCF 144 also decides whether application server (AS) 152 is
required to receive information on an incoming SIP session request
to ensure appropriate service handling. This decision is based on
information received from HSS 150 (or other sources, such as
application server 152). AS 152 also communicates to location
server 156 (e.g., a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC)) that
provides a position (e.g., latitude/longitude coordinates) of MS
102.
[0042] HSS 150 contains a subscriber profile and keeps track of
which core network node is currently handling the subscriber. It
also supports subscriber authentication and authorization functions
(AAA). In networks with more than one HSS 150, a subscriber
location function provides information on HSS 150 that contains the
profile of a given subscriber.
[0043] The MGCF 146 provides interworking functionality between SIP
session control signaling from IMS 140 and ISUP/BICC call control
signaling from the external GSTN networks (not shown). It also
controls media gateway (MGW) 148 that provides user-plane
interworking functionality (e.g., converting between AMR- and
PCM-coded voice). MGW 148 also communicates with other IP
multimedia networks 154.
[0044] Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC) capable mobile phones
register with the wireless network when the phones are in a
predefined area (e.g., job site, etc.). When the mobile phones
leave the area, they register with the network in their new
location as being outside the predefined area. This registration,
however, may not indicate the actual physical location of the
mobile phones outside the pre-defined area.
[0045] Example Configurations
[0046] Now that example networks and operating environments in
which aspects of various embodiments may be employed have been
discussed, simplified network architectures in which aspects of an
embodiment may be implemented are illustrated in connection with
FIGS. 2-4. Referring now to FIG. 2, Internet Protocol (IP)
Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) 301 represents any type of Next
Generation Networking (NGN) architecture--or other
architecture--that may provide mobile and/or fixed multimedia
content services such as IP-based television, broadcast television,
music, etc. In an embodiment, IMS 301 may provide multimedia
content over a cellular connection, fixed connection such as cable
or POTS telephone service, or the like. Operatively connected to
IMS 301 may be wireless network 302 and wired network 303.
[0047] Wireless network 302 may be any type of network that enables
wireless communication, such as, for example, a network provided by
the architectures discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1A-C, a
CDMA cellular network, a satellite network or the like. Wired
network 303 may be any type of network such as, for example, a
cable network, optical fiber network, POTS-based network, etc.
Mobile subscriber 310 may be any type of wireless communication
device. For example, in one embodiment mobile subscriber 310 may be
mobile subscriber 255 as discussed above in connection with FIG.
1A, mobile subscriber 102 as discussed above in connection with
FIG. 1C, or the like.
[0048] Router/modem 312 may be any type of device that is capable
of operatively interconnecting television 314 and/or personal
computer 316 with wireless network 302. For example, in one
embodiment router/modem 312 may be a card adapted into a Type II
laptop slot, or the like. Router/modem 312 may be external or
internal to one or both of television 314 or personal computer 316.
Televisions 314 and 320 may be any type of television (e.g., CRT,
LCD, plasma, etc.), and may be conventional. Personal computers 316
and 322 may be any type of computing device, such as a desktop
computer, laptop computer or the like. Personal Digital Assistant
(PDA) 318 may be any type of portable computing device. Although
not shown in FIG. 2, television 320 and/or personal computer 322
may have an internal or external router or modem, such as
router/modem 312, to enable television 320 and/or personal computer
322 to have operative communication with wired network 303.
[0049] The configuration depicted in FIG. 2 illustrates different
pathways by which various devices 310, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322 and
324 may be able to receive multimedia content from, for example,
IMS 301. For example, mobile subscriber 310 or PDA 318 may be able
to directly connect to wireless network 302 by way of a cellular
network. Such cellular access may be via a GSM access system
discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1A-C, a CDMA system, or
any type of cellular system now in existence or to be developed in
the future. Television 314 and personal computer 316 may be
operatively connected to wireless network 302 by way of
router/modem 312 that, as noted above, may be internal or external
to either of television 314 and/or personal computer 316. Although
not illustrated in the configuration of FIG. 2, either of mobile
subscriber 310 or PDA 318 may be operatively connected to wireless
network 302 by way of router/modem 312. Wireless network 302 may be
in operative communications with IMS 301 through any conventional
or future-developed mechanism.
[0050] Television 320, personal computer 322 and PDA 324 are
operatively connected to wired network 303. It will be appreciated
that television 320, personal computer 322 and PDA 324 may be
television 314, personal computer 316 and PDA 318, respectively,
when using an alternative communication channel. Wired network 303
may be any type of non-wireless network such as, for example, a
cable network, DSL network or any other current or future-developed
wired network. Thus, each of television 320, personal computer 322
and PDA 324 may be operatively connected to wired network 303 in a
manner that is appropriate for the type of wired network 303. Wired
network 303 may be, in turn, operatively connected to IMS 301.
[0051] As will be discussed below in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4,
an embodiment may enable a transition between any type of
communication connection. For example, a user who is accessing
multimedia content on mobile subscriber 310 via wireless network
302 may cause the content to be redirected to any of devices
314-324 by way of either wireless network 302 or wired network 303.
It will be appreciated, therefore, that a user who is accessing
multimedia content on any of devices 310 and 314-324 may transfer
such content to any other of such devices 310 and 314-324. It will
also be appreciated that the request to transfer the multimedia
content could be initiated from the device to which the multimedia
content is to be transferred. For example, if a consumer desires to
transfer multimedia content from mobile subscriber 310 to
television 314, the transfer of the multimedia content may be
initiated by television 314.
[0052] Referring now to FIG.3, it can be seen that a portion of the
configuration of FIG. 2 is illustrated for purposes of explaining
one embodiment in which mobile subscriber 310 provides multimedia
content to television 314. Upon detecting a request to transfer
content to television 314, wireless network 302 may reformat the
content for a characteristic of television 314. Such reformatting
may include, for example, a change to the resolution (e.g., from a
cellular phone display to a high-definition display), data rate,
screen size, audio format, etc.
[0053] As noted above, the request to transfer the multimedia
content from mobile subscriber 310 to television 314 may be sent to
wireless network 302 by either mobile subscriber 310 or television
314. For example, mobile subscriber 310 may be placed into a
docking station or the like, which may indicate to wireless network
302 that a transfer of content to television 314 should take place.
A user of mobile subscriber 310 may manually indicate that a
transfer is to take place using a menu or other input mechanism on
mobile subscriber 310 itself. Alternatively, television 314 may
automatically request a transfer of content from mobile subscriber
upon some predetermined or user-initiated event. For example, a
user of television 314 may select, by way of a menu or other input
mechanism, to receive multimedia content that is being provided to
mobile subscriber 310.
[0054] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, both the
transmission of multimedia content to mobile subscriber 310 and
television 314 may take place by way of wireless network. Once
wireless network 302 has performed any reformatting of the
multimedia content in preparation for transmission (if any such
reformatting was performed at all), the multimedia content is
transferred to television 314. Connections A, A', B, C and D
represent different example pathways such multimedia content may
take to reach television 314. Connections C and A'0 indicate a
wireless path that occurs directly from wireless network 302 to
router/modem 312 (connection C), and then to television 314
(connection A'). Connection C may be, for example, a cellular
connection while connection A' may be, for example, a cellular
connection or other wireless connection, such as WiFi, Bluetooth,
etc. Connections A and A' indicate a wireless path from mobile
subscriber 310--which itself has received the multimedia content
from wireless network 302--to router/modem 312 and then to
television 314.
[0055] Mobile subscriber 310, after receiving multimedia content
from wireless network 302, may transfer the content in a wired or
wireless fashion directly to television 314. For example,
connection B indicates a wireless path from mobile subscriber 310
directly to television 314. Such a connection may be, for example,
a WiFi, Bluetooth or other connection. Connection D indicates a
wired path from mobile subscriber 310 to television 314. The wired
path of connection D may be, for example, a USB cable or the
like.
[0056] Once the transfer of multimedia content to television 314 is
complete (e.g., the content begins to be streamed to television 314
in place of or in addition to mobile subscriber 310), the
multimedia content may continue at the point the user initiated the
transfer (or when the transfer was initiated by automated means).
Alternatively, the multimedia content may be resumed at a point
that is either before or after the time at which the transfer was
initiated. For example, the content may be resumed at a
predetermined amount of time before the transfer was initiated to
ensure that the user does not miss any content that may have
otherwise have been lost during the transfer process. In an
embodiment, the transfer process may be very quick (e.g., one
second or less) and therefore any such content loss may be
minor.
[0057] As can be seen in FIG. 3, all multimedia content is
delivered by way of wireless network 302. However, an embodiment
contemplates any combination of wired and/or wireless multimedia
content delivery. Therefore, and referring now to FIG. 4, an
example configuration involving both wireless network 302 and wired
network 303 is illustrated. In the example configuration of FIG. 4,
mobile subscriber 310 may be operatively connected to wireless
network 302, as discussed above. Television 314 may be operatively
connected to wired network 303. Thus, multimedia content may be
transferred from a device that is connected to wireless network 302
to wired network 303, or vice-versa. For example, mobile subscriber
310 (or a user thereof) may initiate the transfer of multimedia
content to television 314. Alternatively, television 314 (or a user
thereof) may initiate the transfer. It will be appreciated that
additional equipment may serve to operatively connect television
314 to wired network 303 such as, for example, a cable box, router,
modem, etc.
[0058] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 500 of
transferring multimedia content between devices according to an
embodiment. At 501, multimedia content is streamed to a user's
device. At 503, a request to change devices is received. As was
noted above, such a request may be user-initiated or initiated
automatically. For example, a user may dock a cellular phone, may
connect a device to a second device to which the content should be
transferred, may select a transfer option, etc. An automatic
transfer may include a mechanism (such as GPS, proximity detection,
detection of a home network, etc.) that detects that a user has
arrived home or has moved out of range, for example.
[0059] At 505, if desired or required, the multimedia content is
adjusted, reformatted or the like for the second device. At 507, a
determination is made as to whether the multimedia content is to be
routed to the second device by way of the first device. If not, at
509 the multimedia content is routed directly to the second device.
If the multimedia content is to be transferred to the second device
by way of the first device, then at 511 the multimedia content is
send directly to the second device (possibly by way of an
intermediate device such as a router, modem, cable box, etc.).
[0060] It should be appreciated that any or all of the features
discussed herein may be implemented by a computing device that is
executing computer instructions stored on a computer readable
medium. Computer readable media may be any media that can be
accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation,
computer readable media may comprise computer storage media and
communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile
and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in
any method or technology for storage of information such as
computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or
other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to,
RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM,
digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage,
magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other
magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to
store the desired information and which can accessed by a computing
device. Communication media typically embodies computer readable
instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a
modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport
mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term
"modulated data signal" means a signal that has one or more of its
characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode
information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,
communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or
direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF,
infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the any of the
above should also be included within the scope of computer readable
media.
[0061] While the various embodiments have been described in
connection with the preferred embodiments of the various figures,
it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used
or modifications and additions may be made to the described
embodiment for performing the same function of the various
embodiments without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the embodiments
should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather should
be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended
claims.
* * * * *